tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930Thu, 02 Oct 2014 05:47:48 +0000pac sciteensMuddled Ponderings of a Canadian Trapped in the StatesI am wife to "Stud" and mother to a 17 year old boy, "Cryptic". "Jock" is 14 and "Clown" is 10. Our only daughter, "Princess", is 9. This is just a place to talk about them and other aspects of my crazy life!!http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Lowa)Blogger383125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-2150349075624904891Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:47:00 +00002009-07-07T13:54:52.682-07:00144 CommentsIt says I have 144 comments needing to be moderated! Ah well, not gonna bother.<br /><br />So Cryptic and Jock are at camp with the church youth group this week over in Eastern Washington. I know they are having a blast!<br /><br />Clown and I just got back from attempting to take him to a weekly gymnastics class. Lots of his friends continued their home school class through the summer and he wanted to as well. Unfortunately, there were about 45 kids there as opposed to the ten that are usually there. It was not just his HSed friends. So we had to get my money back and turn around and come home. There is no way that he could do it. His anxiety is getting MUCH better, thankfully. Even so, there was no way that he would be there with that many kids around. Poor little guy is so hard on himself and was almost crying the way home. "I HATE that I am this way! I HATE IT!" <br /><br />Princess has a friend staying for the day, night and late into tomorrow. Then the next day Princess will go to the same friend's birthday party at Chuck E Cheese and then to her house for a swimming/slumber party. They are both SO excited!<br /><br />Princess and I spent 10 days up in Saskatchewan last month with my family. It was very nice.<br /><br />I will post a link to Princess' past three dances from this spring recital. She was a Zinnia, Frog and Ant. I just love these dances and knew you would all want to see them:)<br /><br /><br />http://picasaweb.google.com/webalbum.picasa/DanceRecitals?authkey=Gv1sRgCMmN6oPz34XIcw#5354683496805400178<br /><br />I hope that works. It should take you to dance three of five, which was her first one. The earlier two have already been posted on here.<br /><br /><br />Hope everyone is having a great summer!http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2009/07/144-comments.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-6598839337625004689Sun, 10 May 2009 03:03:00 +00002009-05-09T20:21:29.095-07:00Long time, no post<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SgZHMTNyteI/AAAAAAAAAs8/U5WVi95SyaI/s1600-h/IMG_3546.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SgZHMTNyteI/AAAAAAAAAs8/U5WVi95SyaI/s320/IMG_3546.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334029085309056482" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SgZGo6vmDgI/AAAAAAAAAs0/P2Fa0SyUxyU/s1600-h/IMG_3463.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SgZGo6vmDgI/AAAAAAAAAs0/P2Fa0SyUxyU/s320/IMG_3463.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334028477444525570" border="0" /></a><br />Well that was silly!<br /><br />I guess I spend so much time on Facebook and doing all my other stuff, that blogging is not a priority. I don't even read the blogs I used to read. There were about 15 that I used to check every day, now I have about 3 or 4 that I might check every few weeks, IF that. I think about you all, but most people get their updates through Facebook, I guess!<br /><br />Lots happening as always, but I don't want to blabber on for pages and pages like I usually do.<br /><br />We are still working on Clown's room. At least he is moved into there now, but the painting is not done and there are no curtains yet. Everything is in there but his desk. Once we get his room done, we will start to work on Cryptic's. FINALLY!<br /><br />Clown will be 10 on the 19th...we are planning his party at the pool that he and Princess takes their lessons at. He is SO EXCITED! He wants a drum set, so we are looking into it. He is very musically inclined, so we want to encourage anything like that. Who knows what may happen! He can play piano by ear. Refuses to take lessons and we have not pushed him...no need really when he just hears a song he likes and goes to the piano and plays around for a while until he can play it. He says he wants drums...he will get drums:) At least I will do everything in my power to make it happen!<br /><br />Princess got a bike that actually fits her, we had a garage sale, the younger two are doing gymnastics and swimming and Princess' dance recital is at the end of the month. That is the main news now.<br /><br />Enjoy these photos and I guess I will just blog here and there, whenever the mood strikes!http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2009/05/long-time-no-post.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-1845765845647554362Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:04:00 +00002009-03-18T22:14:43.655-07:00WOWWell, so much for posting more regularly. I think about it sometimes, but just can't be bothered. Here is a quick update.<br /><br />Clown got his braces off last week. Here he is, no cross bite ~<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/ScHEyZnkoJI/AAAAAAAAAr0/47kde5GFErA/s1600-h/IMG_2748.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/ScHEyZnkoJI/AAAAAAAAAr0/47kde5GFErA/s320/IMG_2748.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314745405423263890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I can't find any good shots of before the braces to show how bad it was. There are a few, but they are gross because he is being a little boy and showing me his chewed up food or whatever. The left front one is still a little wonky, but this was just phase one. When they do Phase two in 5 or 6 years or whenever they decide it is time...then they will clean up the rest of the problems.<br /><br />Jock is adjusting nicely to his braces. He is also adjusting to public school. No, that is not a typo. You read correctly. He was becoming more and more unhappy with being home schooled. It was not working for him anymore, and he asked to go back to public school. He is in grade eight and started JUST in time to start the last trimester with his peers. They are all going on a tour of the local high school next week. He plans to attend all four years of high school. Like all of my home schooling friends, we re-evaluate here and there and see what is working and what is not. Stud DID NOT want Jock to go to PS, but I tried to get him to see that Jock is almost 14 and needs to have a voice in his academic career and his life in general.<br /><br />I assume he agreed, because Jock has been going to school every day for a week now. Teehee I would prefer he be at home, but just because that is something *I* prefer, doesn't mean it works for him. I am very excited for him and he has been very sweet. He knows it is not my choice and has been telling me he loves me and hugging me very sweetly the few times I have cried about it. It is just weird not having him around and it feels like a piece of me is missing when the other kids and I go places and do things that we would always do together.<br /><br />In other news, I am leaving on Sunday for Yellowknife, NWT. A friend lives up there and I have NEVER been there in the 19 years she has lived there! She found a great sale and we each paid half for the ticket. Well actually, she paid the whole thing but I will take my half to her in cash so that she has spending money when I get there:)<br /><br />I can't wait to go on holiday and go on sled dog rides and cross country skiing...I have not gone Cross Country Skiing since I was a teenager. There is a Caribou Carnival and an Ice Castle and all kinds of neat things! We grew up together in Saskatchewan and try to meet up in Alberta, BC, or Saskatchewan any chance we can. It will be nice to finally see where she lives and just relax and visit.<br /><br />Pretty much right after I get back, Jock and I leave for a hockey tournament in Phoenix. In June, my parents are flying Princess and I up to Saskatchewan to camp a bit and spend some time with the family. So it looks like I will be traveling a lot this year!<br /><br />I will try to be better about updating...and now will leave you all with some photos of the some chocolates that I made when I went out the other night with some other home schooling mothers. We go on a "Mom's Night Out" a few times a month and this past MNO, we made some yummy chocolates.<br /><br />Here is Clown eating the bottom of a Noah's Ark that I made...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/ScHKi4jJ9uI/AAAAAAAAAr8/c_e9kHLYtsk/s1600-h/IMG_2829.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/ScHKi4jJ9uI/AAAAAAAAAr8/c_e9kHLYtsk/s320/IMG_2829.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314751735918098146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here are some filled butterflies that I attempted. The kids gobbled them up, so they must not have been too bad...they sure are fun to make!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/ScHK8IKa67I/AAAAAAAAAsE/LBUAvXlO7Vk/s1600-h/IMG_2828.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/ScHK8IKa67I/AAAAAAAAAsE/LBUAvXlO7Vk/s320/IMG_2828.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314752169606048690" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And here is the Lion that I made. I got SUCH a kick out of how his wee face turned out:) There were other animals, a really cool giraffe and a green mint hippo, etc. But the kids and Stud ate them before I could get the pictures I wanted...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/ScHLet_lb-I/AAAAAAAAAsM/yeKWeq3AX_Y/s1600-h/IMG_2821.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/ScHLet_lb-I/AAAAAAAAAsM/yeKWeq3AX_Y/s320/IMG_2821.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314752763876700130" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Oh yes, there is other news. Since last July when three of the kids went to my parents' in Saskatchewan, we have been moving rooms around and making Stud an office in the old kitchen downstairs. It had been the "school room" in years past and was a great place to do our science and math through baking and various messy projects. Here is what it looked like about a year ago...<br /><br />This is looking into the room ~<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/ScHOfHA9KNI/AAAAAAAAAsU/xUbxzZG3JF0/s1600-h/IMG_5179.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/ScHOfHA9KNI/AAAAAAAAAsU/xUbxzZG3JF0/s320/IMG_5179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314756069128218834" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This was IN the room, looking out into our Rec Room...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/ScHPuj7OrJI/AAAAAAAAAsc/f_xNp3uWNlQ/s1600-h/IMG_5151.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/ScHPuj7OrJI/AAAAAAAAAsc/f_xNp3uWNlQ/s320/IMG_5151.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314757434098494610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We took all the counter tops and cabinets out and put them in the garage. Then a friend from church came and did something or other with the plumbing and electric and fixed all the walls. Put texture on them, and all kinds of fun smelly stuff. That was in December, right before Christmas.<br /><br />FINALLY, just the past few weeks, we have it pretty much how it will be in there, except Stud needs to hang stuff on the walls. He chose the wall colour and put in a new floor as well. He will probably put a door on at some point, so he can concentrate on work better since the kids and I spend a lot of the time out in the Rec room doing our school work.<br /><br />So this is what it looks like when you look into the room now...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/ScHSBnTw50I/AAAAAAAAAsk/rqEI6QoGFLs/s1600-h/IMG_2143.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/ScHSBnTw50I/AAAAAAAAAsk/rqEI6QoGFLs/s320/IMG_2143.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314759960447477570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And looking out into the Rec Room...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/ScHSbsLgvFI/AAAAAAAAAss/wgm8GJu6rpA/s1600-h/IMG_2808.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/ScHSbsLgvFI/AAAAAAAAAss/wgm8GJu6rpA/s320/IMG_2808.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314760408431639634" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Next post may be about what the office used to look like. It is slowly but surely becoming Jock's bedroom. His old room will become Clown's and finally Clown will have his own room for the first time in his life. Right in time for his 10th birthday! Cryptic will finally have his own room and all will be as it should.<br /><br />As I have been trying to post this, Clown has been showing me various magic tricks that he has been practicing. He is going to perform them tomorrow at our monthly "Book Report Lunch" that we do at a local pizza place. Clown is doing SO WELL that he actually got up and recited a poem last month! The first time in his life that he got up and presented something. He had written book reports in the past and Cryptic would read them for him. Now Clown is on a roll and is very pleased about his new found confidence! <br /><br />So there you are. I will close for now. Hope that everyone is doing well!http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2009/03/wow.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-8060677041270607597Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:39:00 +00002009-02-13T10:53:30.546-08:00LimitsAt the moment Princess is taking ballet, jazz, hip hop, gymnastics, violin and swimming lessons. Gymnastics, violin and swimming on Mondays. Jazz and ballet on Tuesdays. Swimming and hip hop on Wednesdays. We have Thursdays and Fridays free. She has always loved being involved in sports and dance...horse back riding, cooking and art lessons...you get the idea. She has always been our busiest and most active child. <br /><br />I ask her brothers sometimes if they feel left out. They remind me that they know things are available to them and if they have an interest, they will let me know. They don't mind that she does all these things and are proud to go and watch her and support her. In fact her little drama class just ended a few weeks ago and it was nice to see their beaming faces when they watched their little sister perform on stage with her cute little friends. Cryptic went to give her flowers after they took their bows, and he was just beaming. Which is HUGE. Cryptic seldom even smiles, let alone beams:)<br /><br />Since she is taking the year off hockey so that she can pursue these other interests, she has time to do soccer and basketball. I totally forgot about basketball and didn't sign her up. She has never tried it or baseball, but LOVES hockey and soccer. Yesterday I asked she and Clown if they wanted to sign up for soccer. Clown is so torn. He REALLY wants to, he LOVES the game. He has not played in about four years and since we have diagnosed him with this anxiety and panic disorder...now that understand why he feels the way he does...he is learning to branch out and step out of his comfort zone a little. So we shall see.<br /><br />I was talking with him about it yesterday and called to Princess, "Princess?? Do you want Mummy to sign you up for soccer??"<br /><br />She called back, "No thanks, Mummy! I think I am involved in enough activities right now. You can't do it all you know!"<br /><br />I learned that my eight-year-old daughter knows her limits:) Thus reminding me YET AGAIN how proud I am to be her Mum.http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2009/02/limits.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-8063184006189757430Fri, 13 Feb 2009 06:39:00 +00002009-02-12T22:54:48.448-08:00Lame<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SZUYkUI6H1I/AAAAAAAAArQ/sdoGje8wov0/s1600-h/IMG_2184.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SZUYkUI6H1I/AAAAAAAAArQ/sdoGje8wov0/s320/IMG_2184.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302171148459056978" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I have been trying to think of something clever and wise. Share some insight or observation...I had all kinds of ideas of things to share on here, and no time to share. Now that I committed to sharing regularly...do you think I have anything?? No way! Totally blank.<br /><br />Something to note...Stud is going to design me a nice blog. Something that shows a bit of my personality. Not sure when he will have time to do that, since he is working two jobs, playing hockey, coaching Jock's hockey team, playing guitar at church, not to mention all the other balls he has in the air. He had worked a bit on it some months ago, but other things got in the way. So be watching for that very soon.<br /><br />Wow...I am so sad and disappointed in myself! I really wanted to have some fun and witty things to post about. I almost wish my kids were all about 6 years younger, so I would have interesting posts about the things they said and did. I didn't have a blog in those days, but I would have made countless posts a day, let me tell you! Kids that age always make for great material.<br /><br />Ah well, better hit the hay. Stud took the younger two kids swimming tonight and then I am taking them (as well as Jock) skating tomorrow with our Home School group.<br /><br /><br />I will at least leave you with a shot of Princess practising her violin and wee Caledonia looking beautiful!<br /><br />Have a great weekend everyone. And I hope to have something good (or at least not LAME!) very soon.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SZUYv6pSpbI/AAAAAAAAArY/aHvWTm0TxUQ/s1600-h/IMG_2188.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SZUYv6pSpbI/AAAAAAAAArY/aHvWTm0TxUQ/s320/IMG_2188.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302171347773990322" border="0" /></a>http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2009/02/lame.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-5540543477453341786Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:52:00 +00002009-02-10T09:15:18.425-08:00Braces><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SZGx_tHZrtI/AAAAAAAAArA/FmywB72vWqw/s1600-h/IMG_2121.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SZGx_tHZrtI/AAAAAAAAArA/FmywB72vWqw/s320/IMG_2121.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301213944392298194" border="0" /></a><br />So we have another one in braces. Jock finally got his put on yesterday. We have been waiting for him to lose more baby teeth and see what all was going on. I really love our Orthodontist because not only is he nice and great with the kids, but he doesn't put the braces on needlessly. Cryptic still doesn't have his and he is 16 1/2. He waits until he just has no other choice. Waits to see what the bones and jaws are doing. He is funny, polite, considerate and he always calls the kids personally the night before to talk to them and tell them it will be a piece of cake. He has all kinda of awesome contests for them and he even has drawings for the parents. He has a movie Theatre in the office and the kids can win pizza parties in there with their friends.<br /><br />Jock's mouth is a total disaster. He has one baby tooth fused to the bone...4 more that will need to be removed because they refuse to come out and his canines are way up almost in his nasal cavity. Alright...that one is not quite accurate. Just look at these photos...he has only ever lost about 3 teeth on his own, the rest always have to be removed by a dentist. He got these top front ones put on and after a month or so, we will take him to the dentist to deal with those other teeth. A few months after that, they will put the rest of the braces on. I can't remember how bad his overbite is...I recall the words "seventy percent", but that may be from something else. They say that they will most likely publish his photos in the "Before and After" book that they have there. Maybe they are talking about doing it in the <a href="http://www.damonbraces.com/">Damon</a> literature. They were quite enthralled with his mess and mentioned this a few times. Poor kid.<br /><br />The first photo is him signing his contract saying he will take good care of his teeth and follow the rules. Then the next one is of him once we got home. He didn't mind me taking some shots of him at the office, getting them on. He did request that I not post those, however.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SZGzFAqv2vI/AAAAAAAAArI/IwH9LrJOfqk/s1600-h/IMG_2131.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SZGzFAqv2vI/AAAAAAAAArI/IwH9LrJOfqk/s320/IMG_2131.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301215135051799282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So we are very excited to see what will happen with this. Clown gets his off on March tenth. Which will mean he only had his on for not quite 6 months. They have totally done what we wanted and his cross bite is corrected. Now we will wait to see when he needs the full deal again. Cryptic goes for a check the same day Clown gets his off. We have been waiting for Cryptics's teeth to all come out and see what is happening there. He has never had the issues that his brothers have, but he does have a large gap in his front two teeth and an overbite that needs to be corrected.<br /><br />So, you may be asking what did I learn the past few days?? Braces cost a lot of money.http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2009/02/braces.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-1704047234179784347Sat, 07 Feb 2009 19:41:00 +00002009-02-07T11:56:29.501-08:00InsightSo this is the big revelation revealed to me the other day...<br /><br /><br />It is VERY difficult to box on the Wii with a kitten hanging from the cord that connects your controller with your nunchuck. Of course we cannot capture a photo of Caledonia doing this. Just trust me...it is HARD to box when she jumps around trying to get the connecting cord...it is distracting but mainly because it is so cute and funny, you laugh so hard that you can't focus on boxing!<br /><br />Hopefully I will have another helpful tidbit of knowledge and/or wisdom for you all very soon. <br /><br />Have a great weekend!http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2009/02/insight.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-7405429914922732078Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:58:00 +00002009-02-05T16:09:55.379-08:00Brief update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SYt97cBYTxI/AAAAAAAAAq4/hM0NUUCoz6E/s1600-h/IMG_0404.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SYt97cBYTxI/AAAAAAAAAq4/hM0NUUCoz6E/s320/IMG_0404.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299467846619254546" border="0" /></a><br />Hello friends!<br /><br />Since I have been so lax about updating...I will try to post a quick update.<br /><br />Princess got a kitten for Christmas. Her name is Caledonia and we all adore her! Clown is waiting for Princess to slip up in caring for her, so that she will become HIS. He fed her this morning and was going to change her litter box, but I reminded him that he needs to give Princess a chance to do it!<br /><br />We had a lovely Christmas. Clown and Princess now take gymnastics AND swimming lessons. We had an issue yesterday with Clown at his lesson...perhaps more on that to come. Princess is also taking violin lessons for the first time and enjoys it.<br /><br />Jock got a new cell phone for Christmas. HE LOVES it! He got it taken away six days ago and will not get it back for at least another week, perhaps more, depending on his respect (or lack there of!) level and treatment of all of us. He is struggling with respect and not manipulating people. He gets braces put on Monday morning, so is very excited about that. Has MANY problems in that poor mouth of his! I don't mean just the sass and cheekiness that comes out of it, either!<br /><br />Cryptic is doing well. Has taken a sudden interest in philosophy and psychology and has many books checked out of the library on those topics. He is taking violin lessons again. He took them from the time he was about 6 until he was 12 or 13 and then just tired of it. He is glad to have started back up again!<br /><br />I am going to try and post a little something EVERY day. Something I learned that day...something I remembered...something I observed. I will try and have the odd contest thrown in, so please keep on checking back. I promise the blog won't continue to be so boring!<br /><br />Trust that all is well with everyone!http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2009/02/brief-update.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-6464250555224646945Thu, 05 Feb 2009 02:21:00 +00002009-02-04T18:25:41.388-08:00Random thingsWOW! I didn't expect to take such a long break! I just have not been blogging or reading blogs as much as I had been.<br /><br />I did this on Facebook and decided to post it here until I can think of anything else to post.<br /><br />I hope everyone is doing well and I look forward to catching up with all of you soon! Enjoy this information about me. I am sure a lot of my "regular" readers will be pretty familiar with most of this!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />1. I grew up on 80 acres in the prairies of Canada.<br /><br />2. There were 14 people in my Graduating class. Most of us are still in touch.<br /><br />3. I have had more brothers and sisters than I can keep track of.<br /><br />4. I miss my foster brothers and sisters and always think of them and wish I could get in touch with them again:(<br /><br />5. I got my first gray hair when I was 17 years old.<br /><br />6. I cannot stand to have anything on my feet...socks...shoes...blankets...you get the idea.<br /><br />7. My husband and I had our children in the same order as my parents AND paternal grandparents. My father is the oldest son of three boys and then a girl...my parents had my three older brothers and then me...we have three boys and then a girl. The only difference is that my grandparents went on to have another boy after their girl!<br /><br />8. Don't play any musical instruments and don't plan to. Have never had the slightest interest in it.<br /><br />9. Always planned to raise my kids on some land...meadows to run in, trees to climb and build forts in...animals to play with and breed and learn from...can't seem to get past the bitterness that it has not happened and I have no control or say in major things like that:(<br /><br />10. I absolutely LOATHE city living and have had to do so for 19 Looooonnnngg years:( Almost half my life.<br /><br />11. Am an introvert with extrovert tendencies and find the older I get, the more introverted I become.<br /><br />12. Cannot STAND to wear dresses or skirts. Pants are THE BEST!<br /><br />13. Got married just after my 20th birthday.<br /><br />14. Met my husband on the internet when I was 18.<br /><br />15. I have met and/or spoken to Alan Thicke, Louie Anderson, Pierce Brosnan and Rick Ducommun. Since Rick Ducommun is my cousin, I have spent a LOT more time with him than the others. He even mailed me an autographed 8X10 of he and Tom Hanks when they were filming "The Burbs". Took me on stage with him after he filmed one of his HBO Specials. Miss him:(<br /><br />16. I am terrified of heights.<br /><br />17. The first time I flew on an airplane was to meet my husband's family in SC in April of 1989. He wasn't my husband yet, obviously:) I was 19 years old.<br /><br />18. I love dragonflies and collect them. Even in ink under my skin.<br /><br />19. I enjoy getting tattoos. Very much. I want many more!<br /><br />20. I have been told often that I am a very good and loyal friend.<br /><br />21. I miss Canada. Did I say that already?? I want to go home:(<br /><br />22. My oldest son and I plan to make our first trip to Ireland together. Hopefully very soon.<br /><br />23. I adore animals and if I had my way would have many, many more. My husband won't let me:(<br /><br />24. I was going to be a vet until I thought about sticking the babies with needles. I was a Vet Tech for a while and had to do it anyway:( I HATED STABBING THEM, even though it was to help them.<br /><br />25. I was studying to be a child psychologist until I met my husband and married him. Now all my poor children are my guinea pigs:)http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2009/02/random-things.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-4051096516862253320Sun, 21 Dec 2008 04:32:00 +00002008-12-20T20:35:58.957-08:00DanceHere is a link to two of Princess'<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/webalbum.picasa/DanceRecitals?authkey=c5AW_zB6hsk#5215197963360671298"> most recent dances</a> .<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The first is her Spring one, when she was a marshmallow. Obviously, it is ballet.<br /><br />Then click on the arrow that points to the right and you will see the hip hop one from a week ago today. She was an ice skating girl and has shorter hair. She starts out far left on the stage, far right to us.<br /><br />Enjoy!http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2008/12/dance.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-27409088980573760Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:21:00 +00002008-12-19T13:40:09.552-08:00A Winter Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SUwTJxA8tCI/AAAAAAAAAgM/VpjfqNP9w1g/s1600-h/IMG_0358.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SUwTJxA8tCI/AAAAAAAAAgM/VpjfqNP9w1g/s320/IMG_0358.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281617521495815202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SUwRO3lJbzI/AAAAAAAAAf0/c0u81MjMO70/s1600-h/IMG_0100.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SUwRO3lJbzI/AAAAAAAAAf0/c0u81MjMO70/s320/IMG_0100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281615410134347570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SUwQDs5cELI/AAAAAAAAAfk/tbvx_NbWfOY/s1600-h/IMG_0272.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SUwQDs5cELI/AAAAAAAAAfk/tbvx_NbWfOY/s320/IMG_0272.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281614118776475826" border="0" /></a><br />Please forgive the limited posts lately. We have had a lot going on and things are starting to calm down now. It may be a long post, it may not. Depending on how many interruptions I have! I am sure this truly WILL be muddled and all over the place:)<br /><br />Vince, I have been meaning to e-mail you and the Wife, but have not really had time. I know you will eventually read this and hope you understand me not getting back to you privately. I want you to know that I appreciate all your help and input so much!<br /><br />For the rest of you who do not know, Clown has been being assessed for <a href="http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/tc/aspergers-syndrome-symptoms">Asperger's</a> and just recently finished. He DOES NOT have it, which is awesome.<br /><br /><br />However, he DOES have <a href="http://www.effexorxr.com/anxiety-disorders/panic-disorder.aspx">Panic Disorder</a> as well as <a href="http://www.effexorxr.com/anxiety-disorders/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad.aspx">Generalized Anxiety Disorder</a> and is SO MUCH better now. It was a rough past few months.<br /><br />He has always been incredibly shy and not liked leaving the house. He has improved in some areas over the years and in others he has gotten much worse. He talked early, read pretty early and had some other symptoms of Asperger's. Since he hated being around people and would hide under furniture at any social function he was forced to go to, hated loud noises, was very particular about the feel of certain clothes and will only wear one type and brand of sock, etc, etc, I just assumed he had some mild autistic tendencies. We were dealing with it all fairly well and it wasn't too much of an issue until he started sobbing all the time, saying he was light headed, going crazy, couldn't breathe, was going to die, etc etc. It was getting very scary and I found someone to help.<br /><br />She is incredible and after just 5 sessions with her, he is a new little man. She has taught him deep breathing, self calming techniques, visual imagery, etc etc. We confirmed what he and I always knew ; he is a perfectionist and that does not help with his issues. It makes them worse, but he is learning to work on that.<br /><br />One thing that made me sad for him is that when she tested him in various things (which he LOVED and really looked forward to, he loves any challenge as long as he does it "perfectly"...if not...look out!) he tested at high school level in most things and above high school in others. He is so advanced in his thinking but being only nine years old...poses a problem. That is a lot of what causes his attacks...he is thinking deep profound thoughts and he can't handle them and gets scared, so an attack comes on quickly. At least now we know what it is and are able to help him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SUwQdjy52UI/AAAAAAAAAfs/yfqITMD32Ys/s1600-h/IMG_0332.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SUwQdjy52UI/AAAAAAAAAfs/yfqITMD32Ys/s320/IMG_0332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281614563009747266" border="0" /></a><br />Cryptic is also now being tested for Asperger's. I will be incredibly surprised if he doesn't have it. I didn't know if Clown had it, but I knew something was wrong. When I was filling out all the forms for Clown, I was shocked at how many of the questions applied to Cryptic more so than Clown. When I showed Cryptic, he was surprised at how much it all sounds like him. Now any time he exhibits any of his typical quirks that we have always thought of as "just Cryptic", he grins and says, "It's my Asperger's!". We know he has not been diagnosed, but he is pretty certain that he has it also. I got him curious and now he has read up on it and is amazed at how it is like reading about himself. So we shall see.<br /><br />My friend C is down from Canada again. I went to the airport in Abbotsford, BC to pick her up on the 3rd. She will stay until January 3rd. It is such fun having her here! If you don't recall about my lovely friend "C", please go read <a href="http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2006/01/crazy-adventure-in-vancouver.html">this </a> and you may recall a bit. Some of you did not read my blog back then though.<br /><br />Anyway, she is here and picking her up in Abbotsford was a total breeze. We are not flying her in to Vancouver again! So she and I had all these plans about shopping and all this. However, that had been put on hold.<br /><br />It snowed here. Which makes it hard to go out and shop. Not because of the snow, but since it hovers around zero so much, it melts and then freezes again and back and forth. And what do we get?? ICE! Lots of ice! Stud doesn't think I should drive out there. Not so much because of me, but the other drivers. C is having a blast talking with her hubby and parents on the phone, telling them all about how funny it is that 3 inches of snow, shuts everything down. It IS pretty funny, they call it a "storm" and a "blizzard". Ridiculous! It is so pretty. I will post some photos of the kids out playing in it. Stud is taking C and I out shopping later today. We did make it to church last week and also went on "<a href="http://www.trainmuseum.org/SantaTrain.asp">The Santa Train</a>" last Sunday. What fun! Interesting challenge getting C and her wheelchair on board, but the people were so sweet and helpful! We have not gone since Princess was one year old...I need to look for pics of that...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SUwUMT68QaI/AAAAAAAAAgU/JNvrJsOpIw4/s1600-h/IMAGE015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SUwUMT68QaI/AAAAAAAAAgU/JNvrJsOpIw4/s320/IMAGE015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281618664737227170" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SUwSGue4kqI/AAAAAAAAAf8/XXMLpLGm7Z0/s1600-h/IMG_0154.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SUwSGue4kqI/AAAAAAAAAf8/XXMLpLGm7Z0/s320/IMG_0154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281616369764831906" border="0" /></a><br />What else is happening...Princess still loves her Drama classes. Their little play will be at the end of January. She is memorizing her lines flawlessly, it is going to be so cute! I can't wait! Her holiday dance recital was last weekend and she had a blast! It is her first year doing hip hop and she just loves it. Even Jock and Cryptic commented on how great she did. Nice to see them proud of their little sister. Clown misses it because he spent four days at his friend Smiley's house. Princess was thrilled last Sunday because Jock carried her to and from the van on our way to and from church since there was snow and she had on her dress and little dainty church shoes. Wish I had a picture but Jock would not let me take one! Looked so sweet, him scooping her up and carrying her around. She threw her arms around his neck and just beamed and giggled!<br /><br />I will see if Stud can put the video of her dance out here for me again. Cryptic's latin tutor has gone home to Australia for a few months, so he has to have a break from that. He LOVES Latin and is a natural at it. It takes all he has in him not to translate the other kids' stuff for them when they go around the table and translate things. His tutor has had to shush him on occasion and told him to let the other's have a chance:) He just wants to help them, they are not taking to it as quickly as he did. He will keep practising until the tutor returns home.<br /><br />Jock's hockey is going well. He still loves it. Stud has mentioned possibly sending him to hockey school in Penticton, BC when he is a few years older. A friend of our's did that and he improved dramatically and had a much better chance than he would have if he had stayed here in our Association. The difference is that we would move up there WITH Jock, not just send him to billet with strangers. So I am excited about the idea of living in my home country again, even if it is not the right province:) Cryptic would be done with school by then and either living in Ireland (his dream) or going to University in Canada anyway. Yet another perk to home schooling; we can just do that and not uproot Clown and Princess from a school or something.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SUwSk1hpNgI/AAAAAAAAAgE/efZnFaml690/s1600-h/IMG_0329.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SUwSk1hpNgI/AAAAAAAAAgE/efZnFaml690/s320/IMG_0329.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281616887051531778" border="0" /></a><br />Clown took a break from Gymnastics while we were getting his issues sorted, but he is excited to start back in the New Year! When Princess is finished drama at the end of January, she will start gymnastics with her brother and they will both start swimming lessons again. It has been about four years since they have taken and I think it is time for a refresher. I wish that Jock and Cryptic had joined the swim team like the people wanted them to, but they weren't interested.<br /><br />I need to get off of here and get C and I some lunch. Hope everyone is having a lovely holiday season. Jude, I wish you could have a tree:( Sorry to jump around so much, that is what happens when I leave so much time between posts, eh??<br /><br />Happy Holidays everyone! Stay warm:)http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2008/12/winter-update.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-1431726431853432404Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:58:00 +00002008-12-11T09:00:01.788-08:00Annual Santa Photo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SUFG-vmOdAI/AAAAAAAAAfc/y8TIjsXug4s/s1600-h/SantaPicture.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SUFG-vmOdAI/AAAAAAAAAfc/y8TIjsXug4s/s320/SantaPicture.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278578281997562882" /></a>http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2008/12/annual-santa-photo.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-8799025820252478841Mon, 24 Nov 2008 06:29:00 +00002008-11-23T22:34:16.095-08:00CrypticHe will be 16 tomorrow.<br /><br />This cannot be true.<br /><br />Sixteen years ago tonight, I was terrified, laying in agony in a hospital bed and had just been induced with Pitocin. Little turd was 11 days overdue already so we had no choice, we had to get him out of there.<br /><br />So there you have it. What a crazy crazy world.http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2008/11/cryptic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-7838052911015383634Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:32:00 +00002008-11-09T17:53:13.315-08:00Thank goodness!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SReD1BzWtCI/AAAAAAAAAfE/gs08JJ13Zh4/s1600-h/IMG_9609.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SReD1BzWtCI/AAAAAAAAAfE/gs08JJ13Zh4/s320/IMG_9609.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266823236273222690" border="0" /></a><br />Horse back lessons are over for another few months! YAY! One less thing to drive to and take up time:) Great attitude, eh??<br /><br />Princess LOVES her horseback lessons. She had done private last fall/winter. She didn't get a chance to do camp this summer, but we got her into group lessons with other home schooled kids this fall. Now that eight week session is over and we are going to get her into another session in the spring time. So the break from now until March or April will be a welcome one. For ME anyway:)<br /><br />I just broke the news to her that she will be taking lessons at a different place now. I found a place that I think will be a bit closer to us (not sure of it's precise location, but I think it is pretty close), and it sounds like a nicer, newer facility. For an 8 week session of one hour private lessons it will cost less than HALF of what we paid at the current place for an 8 week session of hour long group lessons! I found out about it RIGHT after I signed everything and we paid for where she just finished at.<br /><br />Her Fall Rally was yesterday morning. All of us went and she got to show us some of what she has learned. She was very pleased to have her brothers and Dad there to watch her.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SReEVfSfFmI/AAAAAAAAAfM/VjAakwk8K7I/s1600-h/IMG_9630.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SReEVfSfFmI/AAAAAAAAAfM/VjAakwk8K7I/s320/IMG_9630.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266823793944237666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SReFDfjE3wI/AAAAAAAAAfU/EIGq285Cnro/s1600-h/IMG_9637.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SReFDfjE3wI/AAAAAAAAAfU/EIGq285Cnro/s320/IMG_9637.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266824584287805186" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As you can see, Jock is quite proud of his little sister. It just blows my mind how genetics and birth order have such a part in the whole dynamic of a family.<br /><br />As you all may recall, I also have three older brothers. The second one and I were the most alike (same as Jock and Princess) and butted heads the most (same as Jock and Princess) yet of the three, HE would be the most likely to seek me out and spend time with me. He would be the one to tell me he was proud of me, he loved me, what have you. Same as Jock! Cryptic and Clown are nicer overall to Princess.<br /><br /><br />However, for the most part, if someone is going to go say good night to her as she waits for her father and I to come tuck her in...or ask her how her drama class went...or paint her nails for her...or tell her he thinks she did a great job at her dance recital...or ask her if she wants to play a board game...that is Jock. It just never ceases to amaze me how similar the whole dynamic of our family is to the one I grew up in. It is almost funny! My brother Sean was HORRIBLE to me and I see Jock treating Princess the same way. Scoffing at anything she says, groaning if she has the nerve to just be a happy little girl and sing along to a song, rolling his eyes if she is sharing an idea or some passion with me, etc. So at least he tries to make up for it in ways. One big difference between my childhood and my kids, of course, is that we don't take in foster children like my parents always did. Other than that, it is pretty neat how similar things are. Sean and I turned out to be close, so I know there is hope for Jock and Princess:)<br /><br />So here is Jock, in his own way, showing Princess he is pleased to be there and support her horsemanship skills!<br /><br />In other news, Stud left last night for Geneva, Switzerland. This was a sudden trip for his job and we are all very excited for him! I kept telling him to please bring me back some awesome yummy chocolate! I hope he gets the kids and I all some nice little trinkets.:)<br /><br />Our niece, G, lives in nearby Caux sur Montreux. Stud is hopefully going to either go to her school and visit her, or get her a train ticket to get her to Geneva and then spend some time with him there. Here are some reminders of that sweet girl...<a href="http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2007/07/nothing-much.html">here</a> and <a href="http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2006/08/crazy-g.html">here</a> . So I hope it works out for them to get together. I have not seen her in over a year and I am not liking it:(<br /><br />This has taken longer than I wanted, so I must go do something with the kids. Hope everyone has had a lovely weekend!http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2008/11/thank-goodness.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-2432076396136523036Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:02:00 +00002008-11-03T08:19:42.080-08:00Changes...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SQ8hO5wZmFI/AAAAAAAAAes/of-qzWTfU_0/s1600-h/IMG_9534.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SQ8hO5wZmFI/AAAAAAAAAes/of-qzWTfU_0/s320/IMG_9534.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264463029325109330" border="0" /></a><br />So Princess decided to try and grow her hair long again.<br /><br /><br />She also decided she now wants bangs.<br /><br /><br />She is taking a break from ballet *GASP* and she turned eight...now guess what she is doing!??!?!<br /><br />She had the nerve to lose another tooth! Next thing I know she will be wearing a bra, screaming at me constantly and leaving used sanitary napkins laying around for the dog to chew up. Sorry to be so gross, but I know it is going to happen. Of the four kids, she is by far the messiest and I just KNOW she will do that. She leaves enough other gross stuff laying around.<br /><br />In her Friday morning Science class they just dissected an owl pellet. She was so pleased with the whole thing!! She kept the vole skeleton that she extracted from the pellet laying on her nightstand. It was in a sandwich bag. Brommy found it and chewed through it, so there were wee bones all over her carpet and I had the good fortune to step on them and get a lovely teeny weeny vole femur stuck in my foot! I didn't sign up for this when I decided to have kids!<br /><br /><br />Anyway, she wanted a close-up of the gap ; loves to see the blood! LOL<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SQ8hoPFjG0I/AAAAAAAAAe0/y_C8Q4qkXzg/s1600-h/IMG_9537.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SQ8hoPFjG0I/AAAAAAAAAe0/y_C8Q4qkXzg/s320/IMG_9537.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264463464547687234" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />She was very excited to set it under her pillow last night in hopes that the tooth fairy would come. She and I just chose those new flannel sheets for winter at Target. HOW CUTE ARE THOSE!?!? $20! And I got Stud and I a set that is cream coloured with red snowflakes:) teehee Also, $20!??! For King Size??<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SQ8iPKEsvHI/AAAAAAAAAe8/Qb6qG91u-As/s1600-h/IMG_9543.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SQ8iPKEsvHI/AAAAAAAAAe8/Qb6qG91u-As/s320/IMG_9543.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264464133216844914" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ok, just back from the gym. Stud is taking Clown to his orthodontist appointment and then Princess and I are off to her drama lessons.<br /><br /><br />Hallowe'en news to come soon...if I get time!http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2008/11/changes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-7081573543698483053Mon, 27 Oct 2008 22:02:00 +00002008-10-27T15:20:36.427-07:00Three down, one to go...Well, Clown and I just had "The Talk". <br /><br /><br />He has heard various terms and knows some things about puberty. Aunt Flo for girls, hormones causing changes, etc. The past few months he has been asking a lot about detail and I tend to go into too much detail. I kept on putting it off in hopes that he would catch me in a mood when I would not give TMI. We have a pretty open policy here in the home about coming to us with anything at all, this topic not being an exception. Have always used correct terms for body parts, etc.<br /><br />Finally today he came into the bedroom just as I was about to go downstairs to do math and history with he and Princess. He said, basically, "OK, that's it. I want to know how the sperm gets to the egg." I had asked him the other night if he had any ideas. He claimed he didn't but I think he had pretty much figured it out and just didn't want to come out and say it!<br /><br />So we talked as he hid under the covers on his Dad's side of the bed and I sat there on my side. For much of it, he was turned away from me. He would ask questions before I could even finish one explanation. Every so often he would turn toward me, his mouth agape in horror and whatever I had just divulged would bring up five more questions. Was an interesting conversation. He wasn't as horrified as Cryptic had been. I remember he could not even bring himself to LOOK at his dad for days after! LOL<br /><br />Anyway, at the end of the whole thing Clown quipped, "Oooooh!! So do you think they call them "Sperm Whales" because they like to "do it" more than any other whales??"<br /><br />That's my boy!!!http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2008/10/three-down-one-to-go.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-7988467206192512390Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:19:00 +00002008-10-25T11:51:50.624-07:00Pumpkin Cake Roll<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SQNkdCfTj0I/AAAAAAAAAec/f2h9Zilv-AA/s1600-h/IMG_9272.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SQNkdCfTj0I/AAAAAAAAAec/f2h9Zilv-AA/s320/IMG_9272.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261159239746031426" border="0" /></a><br />Ok Jude, this is for you.<br /><br />The pictures are not the greatest. The icing sugar had soaked in on the top because it had been made the day before and sitting in the fridge. I didn't sprinkle any more on, cause I was too lazy. Also, obviously we had cut into it and eaten some before I thought to take a photo:)<br /><br />I got this recipe from Princess' cooking class LAST fall. She made this when she was seven years old! I was impressed. She always brought back samples from class and when I bit into this...I tell you. I loved it! Maybe you won't love it as much as me now that I have built it up. It IS a nice comfort food for the sweet tooth and such a seasonal thing. I am sure anyone who tries this will love it!!<br /><br />I went out and bought a jelly roll pan JUST to make this and it was so worth it. I will make these much more often. I had never braved a jelly roll or anything of this nature just because I thought it must be complicated and time consuming. When Princess made it I figured if a 7 year old can make it with just limited supervision, I am sure I can! LOL I was shocked at how simple this was. She was going to help me, but she got involved in watching a movie with her brothers, so I was on my own.<br /><br />Maybe you can whip up a few to have on hand for your sisters?? I know not all of them live right there near you now, but you know what I am saying. Nice to have on hand at a time like this, right??<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SQNknBzqQvI/AAAAAAAAAek/Y-EAST7WRUY/s1600-h/IMG_9273.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SQNknBzqQvI/AAAAAAAAAek/Y-EAST7WRUY/s320/IMG_9273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261159411361661682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ok, here goes...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><pre><br />Cake: Icing :<br /><br />3/4 cup of flour 6 oz cream cheese, softened<br />2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/4 cup butter softened<br />1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp vanilla<br />1 tsp. ground ginger 1 cup icing sugar<br />1/2 tsp salt<br />1/2 tsp ground nutmeg<br />3 eggs<br />2 tsp vegetable oil<br />1 cup sugar<br />2/3 cup canned pumpkin<br />1 tsp. fresh lemon juice<br />1/4-1/3 cup icing sugar, sifted<br /><br /><br /></pre><br />1. Allow eggs to stand at room temp for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.<br />2. Grease 15X10X1 inch jelly roll pan. Line the bottom with wax paper and spray with cooking spray. Set aside<br />3.Combine dry ingredients except for icing sugar. That is to sprinkle on finished cake roll &amp; towel when cake part is done baking.<br />4.In a large bowl, beat eggs and oil with electric mixer on high until thick. About 5 minutes. (2 or 3 worked fine for me) Gradually beat in the sugar. Stir in pumpkin and lemon juice. Mix with flour mixture.<br />5. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes or until the top springs back when touched.<br />6.Remove from oven &amp; immediately loosen edges of cake from pan and turn cake out onto a towel sprinkled with icing sugar. Remove waxed paper. Roll towel and cake into a spiral, starting from the short side of cake. Cool on a wire rack.<br />7.Make icing by creaming together cream cheese, butter and vanilla on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add icing sugar, beating after each addition until smooth.<br />8.Unroll cake, remove towel. Spread cake with icing to withing 1 inch of edges. Roll up cake; trim ends. Cover and chill until serving time. Dust with a light sifting of icing sugar before serving. Makes 12 servings.<br /><br /><br />So let me know when you get a chance to make it and what you think. It is truly delectable!http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2008/10/pumpkin-cake-roll.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-2026752528656666089Sun, 19 Oct 2008 16:29:00 +00002008-10-19T09:48:21.947-07:00FunSo I got this from <a href="http://judlesblog.blogspot.com/">Jude</a>. Thought it would be fun. <br /><br />1. Where is your cell phone? Charging<br /><br />2. Where is your significant other? Playing guitar at the first church service.<br /><br />3. Your hair color? Auburn with LOTS of gray that is currently being masked.<br /><br />4. Your mother? At my brother's in Calgary.<br /><br />5. Your father? With my mother, other brother at my bro and SIL's in Calgary.<br /><br />6. Your favorite thing? Looking at pictures of my kids or being with my kids.<br /><br />7. Your dream last night? Something weird about my parents' young foster boy.<br /><br />8. Your dream/goal? To live on at least 2 acres of land and have goats, etc again.<br /><br />9. The room you're in? My bedroom.<br /><br />10. Your hobby? Love to do a lot of things, never get time:( Painting, hiking, sewing. Never do any of them:(<br /><br />11. Your fear? My husband or any of my children dying.<br /><br />12. Where do you want to be in six years? On some land, milking goats and listening to my children run around laughing and playing in the fresh air on said land.<br /><br />13. Where were you last night? My daughter's 8th birthday party at a local swimming pool.<br /><br />14. What you’re not? I am not happy with all the zits I seem unable to rid myself of!<br /><br />15. One of your wish list items? For my husband to move us onto land like we always said we would do. We said we would raise our children on some land with trees and we have ALWAYS lived in the city. My dream is for him to remember what I THOUGHT was our dream together and actually do something to work towards it coming true.<br /><br />16. Where you grew up? On 80 acres West of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in the BEST country on earth!<br /><br />17. The last thing you did? Asked one of my daughter's slumber party guests if she was hungry yet and wanted me to make her any breakfast. (she said no, not yet)<br /><br />18. What are you wearing? A pink tank top and men's boxers with Canadian flags all over them. A big fluffy white robe on top of all that.<br /><br />19. Your TV? VERY nice! Flat screen LCD with HD. It is honestly very pretty for a TV. Has ruby red kind of subtly worked in to the edge.<br /><br />20. Your pet? Two cats and a one dog. I want more dogs and some goats, chickies, kitties, horses...you get the idea:( *sniff*<br /><br />21. Your computer? Yup. It is sitting right here. No clue what kind or anything.<br /><br />22. Your mood? hungry and my back hurts.<br /><br />23. Missing someone? My paternal grandmother, three of my uncles, my aunt, my cousin and my baby brother. All of the above died within the past five years except for one of the uncles. I wish people would STOP doing that! <br /><br />24. Your car? 1995 Honda Accord. If you really want to know details, you can go <a href="http://rantingsofateen.blogspot.com/2008/07/hit.html">here</a>. I remember him saying something about the exact kind.<br /><br />25. Something you’re not wearing? A bra or anything on my feet. I cannot STAND anything on my feet.<br /><br />26. Favorite store? I have a few, but Target seems to be where I get most of the things that we need. Even some things we don't need! LOL<br /><br />27. Your summer? Yuck. I don't really enjoy summer. <br /><br />28. Love someone? Absolutely, many.<br /><br />29. Your favorite color? Deep blue and/or deep purple.<br /><br />30.When is the last time you laughed? yesterday at the antics of my second-born at his sister's party.<br /><br />31. Last time you cried? Wow...it has been a while. Oh no, I guess it was last week while talking on the phone about my baby brother with my Mum. She didn't even cry (which is real progress) it was only me crying for a bit.<br /><br />Alrighty, better go feed myself and get these kids fed! Anyone who wants to do this, feel free. Please let me know, though, so I can come and read it:)http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2008/10/fun.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-8859003011747783190Sun, 19 Oct 2008 04:10:00 +00002008-10-18T21:30:23.552-07:00Character<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SPqzvTVGnhI/AAAAAAAAAd8/rotYbQ7xKs8/s1600-h/IMG_9180.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SPqzvTVGnhI/AAAAAAAAAd8/rotYbQ7xKs8/s320/IMG_9180.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258713140132486674" border="0" /></a><br />I just HAD to share some photos of Jock from his sister's 8th birthday party this afternoon.<br /><br />First, he is licking the icing off the Hannah Montana lip gloss guitar that was on the cake. I get a kick out of the this because of the looks on the little girls' faces. You can see Princess reassuring them that all is well, this is just Jock being Jock! I have never put a photo on my blog without the kids' parents' permission...I need to check with them I guess, I just CANNOT resist. I just find this SO FUNNY! Especially K, the girl with black hair in the brown clothes. She is in one of Princess' dance classes and is a hoot herself! I am assuming she doesn't have any older brothers, by the look on her face:)<br /><br />Then Jock decided he would make himself an outfit from the ribbons and wrappings and such...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SPq1WaTH2BI/AAAAAAAAAeM/Qu2Ms2L6kNo/s1600-h/IMG_9241.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SPq1WaTH2BI/AAAAAAAAAeM/Qu2Ms2L6kNo/s320/IMG_9241.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258714911529752594" border="0" /></a><br /><br />See why I love this kid?? Never a dull moment! No need to hire entertainment, just bring Jock along! I should put some video out here of he and his friend sucking all the helium from the balloons and having a grand old time!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Then here is this guy. My calm, cool, and collected Cryptic. Here he is, long fingernails and all (they are not currently painted black, as you have most likely ascertained on your own) sweetly capturing memories of his sister and her guests frolicking in the swimming pool that we rented out for the hour. *contented sigh* Isn't he handsome??<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SPq2IEp7pzI/AAAAAAAAAeU/1dm0jCRLkS8/s1600-h/IMG_9067.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SPq2IEp7pzI/AAAAAAAAAeU/1dm0jCRLkS8/s320/IMG_9067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258715764713301810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />So Princess had a wonderful time. Aside from me having Stud cut two different kinds of cheese into teeny leaf shapes to go with the crackers and meat and after all that ~ forgetting them at home!...and forgetting the ice cream scooper and cake slicer here at home...and Clown thinking he forgot his trunks and towel at home and dissolving in tears, only to quickly recover and wipe frantically at his eyes when Stud told him he packed them and all was well...I think it went pretty well! OH! I also totally forgot my DELICIOUS pumpkin loaf with cream cheese. I will take a photo of that and post it soon. If anyone wants the recipe, let me know. It is truly DIVINE.<br /><br />So the post is title the way it is because of Jock. When I discovered those photos on the camera on the drive home, Stud and I said that at least some of them would end up on our blogs. Teehee He begged us not to and said he was hyper. That is fine, they are still going on the blogs:) Be curious to see which ones Stud uses:) <br /><br />Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2008/10/character.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-8681924888721594045Sat, 18 Oct 2008 02:55:00 +00002008-10-17T20:20:38.134-07:00AdviceAs the title implies, I am seeking some advice.<br /><br />I have noticed the past three years or so that people gravitate toward Princess. I mean, they always have been taken with her. She is very sweet, cute, funny and just draws people in by her demeanor. Since infancy, people commented on her eyes and curls (when she had them! LOL) and cuteness. Right now I am talking about her personality and how it seems to draw people.<br /><br />It is just the past three years or so that it has become more and more clear that she is looked upon as...what I guess people call "popular". Kids of all ages want to be her friend. She has friends who are ten and eleven and friends as young as four or five.<br /><br />I am not sure if I posted about various instances from a few years ago when she attended public school. It is always interesting to watch other kids around her. Ones in her dance class, horse back lessons, and for sure when she attended public school for her Kindergarten year. Kids just gaze at her so adoringly and always watch to see what she will do and then they follow along. I think I talked about one example and how she instructed all the kids who took the bus home to sit on a certain side of the bus so that as it drove past, they could wave to her as she and I walked home after school. They happily did that ALL YEAR long. I thought they would tire of it or forget about it after a few weeks. No sir! The entire year, they watched and waved and just seemed so excited to be waving to her every day. If sometimes we were late or early and didn't see the bus, kids asked her about it later. "Princess! I didn't see you and your Mommy waving yesterday after school?? What happened??"<br /><br />So now she takes this Friday morning science class. Other kids want to partner up with her do to any assignments together. They don't "fight" over her, but I can tell she is torn and doesn't know what to do and which ones to work with. They do seem to be getting a bit agitated at the thought of her not "choosing" them. She looked at me helplessly and shrugged her shoulders today when two girls were wanting her to work with them on identifying birds.<br /><br />She has been better about getting into lines first at dance class. She used to ALWAYS be first to line up for get the hands stamped after dance lessons or music lessons. I spoke with her about it and explained that other kids need to be first as well and how she can take turns. She told me the kids TELL her to get in front and I knew she was right. I had seen it. They would motion for her to go first, even if she had stepped back to allow them in. I would watch and these girls would just kind of look at her in awe as she walked past, like she was Princess Diana or something. They all really seem taken with her. I mean, it is NOT her fault or anything.<br /><br />Here is my dilemma. I don't want her getting arrogant. I think she is starting to really notice this treatment a lot more and notice other girls maybe not being treated the same way. I am not sure WHY she is viewed in this manner.<br /><br />So what do I do?? Do I just keep the lines of communication open and be there for her if she starts asking why people treat her this way?? I know she has noticed in the area of her looks. People always comment on her being so "cute" and "beautiful" and all this. She has heard it all her life. It is tapering off a bit as she gets older, THANK GOODNESS, but I know it will start up again when she is late teens or something and totally stunning again. I almost want her to get some acne or get crooked teeth or something and not be so pretty! I know that sounds horrible, which leads me to my next question.<br /><br />How do I help it not bother her brothers?? They are starting to resent her, mainly Clown. He is closest in age to her, so it impacts him the most. He has come to me crying a few times, asking why people don't comment on his looks all the time as they do her. I never know what to say?? I think he is very handsome. And sometimes people say so. The thing is 98% of the time we go ANYWHERE, people turn and look at Princess or come right up and say something. They don't say anything about him:( It is hurting him and he is resenting his sister. But it is not her fault!<br /><br />So what can I do?? IS there anything I can do?? It bothers Jock a little bit, but with the looks thing, he seems a but consoled by the fact that they look a lot alike! LOL We always say she is a female version of him. So even though he acts like she is an annoying little sister and therefore seen as hideous to him, it does seem to console him a bit. He even says to me a few times a year, "You know, Princess really IS a very attractive little girl. It bugs me when people always say it, especially when she is there to hear. But I DO understand why. She REALLY is pretty!"<br /><br />How do I help her with being torn between all kinds of people wanting her attention? And how do I help the boys not resent her and get their feelings hurt??<br /><br />Thanks!http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2008/10/advice.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-8515447176563376781Mon, 13 Oct 2008 06:07:00 +00002008-10-12T23:22:41.027-07:00Can it be true??<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SPLmqM7el4I/AAAAAAAAAdg/Anah0BWUHUk/s1600-h/IMG_8765.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SPLmqM7el4I/AAAAAAAAAdg/Anah0BWUHUk/s320/IMG_8765.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256517327794378626" border="0" /></a><br />My baby turned eight years old this past Friday. My oldest baby will be 16 years old next month...I was 39 on the 1st of this month.<br /><br />WHAT IS HAPPENING!! I DON'T LIKE THIS!!!<br /><br />So here are a few shots from the birthday itself. Her party is this coming Saturday the 18th at a local pool. She is beside herself with excitement of course!<br /><br />As my few regular readers may recall, we hide gifts for the kids on their birthdays. They play hot and cold, go on a treasure hunt by reading clues, etc. Adds to the fun! So she found this horse thing that she had been wanting, hidden under her pillow there in the fort. She and Clown sleep in there on the weekends. They love to sleep under the piano! Goofy kiddos!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SPLnberPcWI/AAAAAAAAAdo/vSa-1GGAro0/s1600-h/IMG_8803.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SPLnberPcWI/AAAAAAAAAdo/vSa-1GGAro0/s320/IMG_8803.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256518174371705186" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Jock did not want to be in this photo of her opening what her three brothers got her. He had not showered, which means he had not done his hair. So if his hair is not "just so"...you understand, I am sure. You know how 13 year old boys can be:)<br /><br /><br /><br />I LOVE THIS ONE! She and Clown started doing the jewelry making kit. Clown loved to do it, but there were not many things that could pass as "masculine" and of course Jock started making fun of him for playing with a "girl toy". Princess is looking at him like, "Please Clown! Just make some of this stuff with me!!" And he is looking at me like, "MUM! Get that camera out of here!" LOVE IT!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SPLoV1-PAuI/AAAAAAAAAdw/cvI0JqvKM90/s1600-h/IMG_8814.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SPLoV1-PAuI/AAAAAAAAAdw/cvI0JqvKM90/s320/IMG_8814.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256519177057796834" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Alrighty, even though I need to get to bed to get Princess to drama class in the morning, I am going to settle in and watch some "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYbu037JRm0">Corner gas</a>" with Stud. We love this show. The only trouble is every time we watch it, I crave my good old Canadian junk food that I see in the background:)<br /><br />Toodles!http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2008/10/can-it-be-true.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-3595674459987726685Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:28:00 +00002008-10-07T23:32:05.037-07:00Braces<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SOxTV-3A_XI/AAAAAAAAAdY/YXtNs1YrtHY/s1600-h/IMG_8316.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SOxTV-3A_XI/AAAAAAAAAdY/YXtNs1YrtHY/s320/IMG_8316.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254666502350634354" border="0" /></a><br />Can you believe this!?!?<br /><br />He just needs them on the top for 8-10 months to correct his crossbite.<br /><br />He was very brave!http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2008/10/braces.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-9002871865202766103Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:16:00 +00002008-09-15T20:44:52.006-07:00Last weekSo the new schedule last week went nicely. I was a tad sore and tired (stupid Aunt Flo!) on Thursday so we took the day off and just lazed about.<br /><br />I have been very impressed with the kids sticking to the schedule and doing their chores and school work. Jock fights it and mutters, but does a good job of keeping up with his on-line school. Cryptic spent a lot of time with the younger two and they were just tickled. When he has limited time that he is permitted to spend doing his writing and (we had been allowing him HOURS every day and that has been drastically altered) surfing the net, he actually enters in on their games and they love his input and ideas for the games they make up and play together. The three of them spent a good amount of time out on the trampoline this week.<br /><br />Clown was nervous about his gymnastics class this past Monday at noon. His coach is Russian and quite hard to understand because of the accent and also because he speaks very quietly. Clown went out onto the mats and started the warm up with everyone else. Soon he was smiling and talking quietly with the other boys. He didn't want me to take any pictures but I told him I wouldn't do it often, I just wanted some from his first class.<br /><br />When they got to the rings, he was the only one who was able to just jump up from below and grab them. THEN, he was also the only one who held his body the way the coach was showing them. I felt bad for some of the other boys, they gave up and were nears tears. Clown just seemed to be a natural.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SM8hTVbWusI/AAAAAAAAAdM/2X9idn3cEtM/s1600-h/IMG_7971.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SM8hTVbWusI/AAAAAAAAAdM/2X9idn3cEtM/s320/IMG_7971.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246448706963028674" border="0" /></a><br /><br />His coach told him to pull a big thing over to use to stand on so that he can jump up and reach the rings. Of course he is waving me away and saying, "NO PICTURES!" LOL<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Explaining that he needs to jump up there and grab on...but first...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SM8eoCjJwEI/AAAAAAAAAc8/bqnO4D3wfIg/s1600-h/IMG_7973.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SM8eoCjJwEI/AAAAAAAAAc8/bqnO4D3wfIg/s320/IMG_7973.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246445764137828418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />You will want to use some chalk on your hands so you don't slip...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SM8eI-_Gx7I/AAAAAAAAAc0/z4ART2Dq9R0/s1600-h/IMG_7974.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SM8eI-_Gx7I/AAAAAAAAAc0/z4ART2Dq9R0/s320/IMG_7974.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246445230605387698" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />WOW! You got up there the first try! Now try and grab with the other hand...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SM8d5DvwmXI/AAAAAAAAAcs/HxnnLF6nwA0/s1600-h/IMG_7975.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SM8d5DvwmXI/AAAAAAAAAcs/HxnnLF6nwA0/s320/IMG_7975.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246444957005289842" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Excellent!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SM8dcToqxYI/AAAAAAAAAck/YSP1K-EpoWA/s1600-h/IMG_7977.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SM8dcToqxYI/AAAAAAAAAck/YSP1K-EpoWA/s320/IMG_7977.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246444463054308738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />He just loved it and says he wants to try a few more times. At one point they were by the bars trying to do a "Pull Up" I think they said it is called. You hold on with just your hands and then try and just pull your entire body under and up and over the bar by lifting with your legs and core. The kids were struggling and struggling and the mothers were all saying how hard it is. One mother, whose kids have taken classes there for a LONG TIME said "It usually takes about a year before they can do it. It is REALLY difficult". Right after she said that, we all saw Clown flip himself over! We sat there shocked for a split second and then all the mothers and I started hooting and hollering and clapping and yelling "YAY CLOWN!!!"<br /><br /><br />Of course he went today again (was convinced he was going to vomit on the way there *sigh* but got himself calmed down once he got on the mats) and Jock and Princess came to watch him. I would rather it just be time with him and me on the drive to and from. However, he asked them to come and watch him and they were excited to see him in class. There is a class for girls going on at the same time that Princess wants to be in. I told her she is in too many things right now, this is just for Clown. She wants to drop something so she can do gymnastics! I told her once some of her eight week sessions are done, she can start this. Jock actually may join Clown in class next month. We can pay month by month and the woman who set it up from our Home Schooling Assoc. got us a screaming deal!<br /><br />So Princess and Jock were impressed with Clown's abilities also. They enjoyed watching him and he was so proud to have them there:) Was cute, one time as Clown was walking past with the rest of the boys, Jock waved and just said, "Hey Clown!" and Clown beamed and looked a bit shy and waved back but was too shy to say anything back to him:)<br /><br />Princess is loving her ballet and hip hop. Our Sugar cube pyramid didn't turn out that great last Monday, but that is OK, now we are onto Sumeria and working on other things with clay. Trying to make a "Sumerian Seal". We shall see how that goes!<br /><br />I open up a local clubhouse for our Friday morning Science Class now. Cryptic and Jock have taken it for years and now Clown and Princess get to try. Their class is first and I have keys and meet the <a href="http://www.ravenscience.org/">teacher</a> there.<br /><br /><br />Of course Clown was a nervous wreck before class on Friday. Once he got settled and Brian started talking and teasing Princess, Clown settled right in. He raised his hand and spoke up many times and didn't even flip out or get upset when one time Brian called on him and Clown ventured, "Mandibles??" and Brian said no, that's wasn't quite right. Normally Clown would have shut down then and there and never volunteered an answer again. Not this time! We are making progress! He took it in stride and within a few minutes was answering Brian's questions again and doing his sweet shy look whenever he got something right. Which was most of the time! They are learning about insects and Clown always reads up on them. So he knew a lot of the material but of course learned plenty of new information as well. He came running inside after class and flew straight to Stud's office downstairs and told him all about the class. Again, he says he will continue all year, no need to quit after the first eight week session:)<br /><br />Clown will start piano lessons soon and Cryptic is resuming his violin lessons from years ago. Princess is starting violin as well. Jock isn't playing an instrument at present.<br /><br />Jock is having a good time on his new hockey team. He is Bantam this year and has five girls on his team!!! The most he has had before in one season is two, so this is different. They played their first game this past Sunday. We had issues with try-outs for the AAA team, but I won't get into that here. Maybe I mentioned it?? I don't recall.<br /><br />Cryptic is taking a writing class on Fridays at 2PM, so we hope that goes well. He is not sure about sharing any of the stuff he is currently working on, since he hopes to publish it one day. I said we could just get people to sign a non-disclosure agreement! LOL He said he will just get more ideas and use those, but he really enjoys the class. Just something to help him move along and really get going with his ideas. He has amazing ideas and shares them with me on our daily walks. I can't keep up with all of them! He is really a gifted writer.<br /><br />He bought a new book the other night and sucked it right down. I am going to go cuddle in bed and finish it. I started it yesterday and it is freaky how similar it is to some of the ideas Cryptic has had for his stories!<br /><br />Enough rambling for now. Hope everyone had a lovely week!http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2008/09/last-week.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-5942501488965970177Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:23:00 +00002008-09-08T09:41:35.803-07:00Fall ScheduleSo today is the first day of our new fall schedule. I only have 12 minutes of computer time left, so we shall see how fast I can spit out all my news!<br /><br />Cryptic showers now, as the other kids clean up from breakfast. Cryptic and I got up and went for an hour long walk and then came back and made breakfast. He poured juice, cut up strawberries and warmed up muffins while I toasted toast and scrambled eggs. The younger two should be starting their independent school work while Jock does his few chores for Mondays.<br /><br />Clown has gymnastics this morning, so that should be interesting. He is very nervous and a friend and I have gone through all kinds of drama and stress and nonsense to get our boys in this class with our Home Schooling group. Both our sons need a very small group of kids.<br /><br />Jock got his lap-top for his on-line school. I am not sure where it is based (can't recall at this moment) but they don't seem to have their act together. I actually have a pretty bad feeling about how this year will go. <br /><br /><br />This is a different place than the one we used <a href="http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2007/08/high-school.html">last year for Cryptic</a>. They sent him his lap-top and got him all set up. Then they called and were frantic this past Friday. They had given us the wrong form for the out of district thingy. So they called our home phone, Stud's cell and my cell and told us they needed us to fax them a different form from our school district. Fine. So I went and got that taken care of. The next day we got a big envelope of stuff from them in the mail. It was the SAME FORMS they sent WEEKS ago that we have already filled out and returned!?!?!? They were saying something about hurry and fill these in so we can get your student registered and connected and ready to do school!??! YIKES!?!?<br /><br />So here is Jock with his lap-top...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SMVUHIqs9OI/AAAAAAAAAcU/3B_wey2yUlw/s1600-h/IMG_7738.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SMVUHIqs9OI/AAAAAAAAAcU/3B_wey2yUlw/s320/IMG_7738.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243689822705218786" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Pretending to be mad:)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SMVUZaZxcHI/AAAAAAAAAcc/GgwyMAWXfLk/s1600-h/IMG_7739.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SMVUZaZxcHI/AAAAAAAAAcc/GgwyMAWXfLk/s320/IMG_7739.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243690136703692914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Much better.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />OH NO!!! I am two minutes late! I am now off to Ancient Egypt with Princess and Clown. We have to try and make our pyramid again. We tried to make blocks from sand and glue so it would be more authentic...let's just say that did not work. So we are going to use sugar cubes. We agreed that will be more realistic anyway, since the pyramids all used to be white, but over the centuries, all that was worn off from the desert winds, etc.http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2008/09/fall-schedule.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10017930.post-5526669205149001533Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:11:00 +00002008-09-03T10:18:05.696-07:00This will take some getting used to!On Monday I went to my appointment at the sleep disorder clinic. NICE to know I have a "disorder".<br /><br />It took about 5 minutes. I got home and showed everyone my lovely new mask. Ya wanna know the FIRST THING out of Stud's mouth??<br /><br />"I am sleeping with Darth Vader". He said he was going to get a photo of me wearing it and post it on his blog. I asked how he could do that when I will wake up if he tries to take a photo, since I sleep so lightly. We both thought at the same time, well if this thing does it's job, I will sleep SOUNDLY. All I can say is that he had BETTER NOT!<br /><br />So it worked a lot better than the first one except it makes my nose itchy and I need to keep on reaching under the mask to scratch it. When I do that, it is very loud as the suction around my face is broken. So I lasted until about 2 AM Tuesday morning and around the same time this morning. My goal is to last until 4 AM by Saturday.<br /><br /><br />They all say it takes some people a week or two to get really used to it all. My friend who started using one four years ago said it took her a week to notice a difference in sleeping better, so I am assuming part of that was training herself to actually keep the dang thing on all night! The people at the clinic told me to just do it as long as I can and work my way to eventually keeping it on all night.<br /><br />Below you will find some photos of the mask itself and then where I keep it. Note the machine on my lovely night stand...it is small and compact but I would still rather it not take up that room. You can keep them on the floor, but you need a longer hose so I will see what I decide to do. I would think it would get pretty dusty and dirty sitting on the carpet by someone's bed...<br /><br />And yes, I have stuffed animals on my bed...Poor Stud! He handles it quite well though:) I see now that my poor bunny is missing a slipper! OH NO! I need to go look for that.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SL7FiN2Wx9I/AAAAAAAAAcE/rMmlqZ7uBAE/s1600-h/IMG_7869.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SL7FiN2Wx9I/AAAAAAAAAcE/rMmlqZ7uBAE/s320/IMG_7869.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241844207929706450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SL7F11AqNAI/AAAAAAAAAcM/CeuGQwpt1ZM/s1600-h/IMG_7872.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_umsUqR8d88Q/SL7F11AqNAI/AAAAAAAAAcM/CeuGQwpt1ZM/s320/IMG_7872.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241844544859419650" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Hopefully soon I will have something more exciting to post about!http://muddledponderings.blogspot.com/2008/09/this-will-take-some-getting-used-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lowa)0